Spain’s center-right opposition has continued its string of policy announcements aimed at proving how it will toughen migration laws if elected, promising to link permanent residency to integration rather than time spent residing in Spain.
The Spanish opposition has promised to only offer foreigners long-term or permanent residency if they can prove effort and contribution, if the centre-right party were to reach power in 2027.
The People’s Party (PP) has been drip-feeding policy proposals in recent weeks, and outlined its broader immigration plan in Barcelona on tuesday.
to present the document,party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has chosen Catalonia,the region “where the lack of [immigration] control” has been most keenly felt,according to the deputy secretary of the PP’s Sectorial Coordination,Alma Ezcurra.
READ ALSO: Spain’s opposition plans to make it impossible for overstayers to get residency
this follows a whole range of proposals to shake up the immigration system and continues the PP’s tough talk on migration.
The measures could have a meaningful impact on the lives of foreigners in Spain. If the polls are to be believed and the PP win the next general election – scheduled for 2027 in Spain – briefings coming out of Calle Génova, the party’s Madrid headquarters, suggest the PP will try and recalibrate the immigration system towards a more integrationist, contributory model.
READ ALSO: Will spain’s PP protect foreigners’ rights if they get into power?
In the Spanish press this morning, reports suggest Feijóo will as part of his presentation propose tightening up access to permanent residence permits by linking them to employment and social integration rather than simply time spent in the country.
“Long-term residence permits will depend on effort,not on calendars. In general, it will be granted based on criteria of contribution, work and integration, not mere permanence in Spain,” says a PP policy document seen by Spanish daily The Country.
According to current residency rules, it is indeed compulsory to have lived legally and continuously in Spain for at least five years in order to obtain long-term or permanent residency. Among other factors, it is indeed currently also required to “lack a criminal record in Spain and in the countries where he or she has resided for the last five
Spain’s Political landscape Shifts as Immigration Takes Center stage
Spain’s political debate is increasingly focused on immigration, with starkly contrasting approaches emerging from the governing Socialists (PSOE) and the opposition parties, particularly the People’s Party (PP) and Vox. While prime Minister Pedro Sánchez advocates for regularizing the status of undocumented immigrants and emphasizes their economic contribution, other parties are pushing for stricter controls and a more selective immigration policy.
Sánchez has been a vocal proponent of a more open approach to immigration, arguing that Spain’s economy relies on foreign workers. He has pledged to regularize the status of hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants currently residing in the country.https://www.thelocal.es/20240308/spain-to-regularise-status-of-hundreds-of-thousands-of-immigrants
In contrast, Vox has adopted increasingly restrictive rhetoric on immigration, appealing to concerns about national identity and security. the PP, traditionally a more moderate force, is now also taking a harder line on the issue. Political analysts suggest this shift is a strategic move to counter the appeal of Vox and attract voters concerned about uncontrolled immigration. https://www.thelocal.es/20241013/spains-opposition-proposes-making-it-impossible-for-overstayers-to-get-residency
The PP, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has recently proposed significant changes to Spain’s immigration policies. These include making it more difficult for overstayers – those who remain in Spain after their visas have expired – to gain legal residency. Under the PP’s proposal, overstayers would need to demonstrate a clear contribution to Spanish society or prosperous integration before being eligible for residency. https://www.thelocal.es/20241013/spains-opposition-proposes-making-it-impossible-for-overstayers-to-get-residency
Furthermore, the PP is advocating for a points-based visa system, similar to those used in countries like Canada and Australia. This system would prioritize applicants who possess skills and characteristics deemed beneficial to Spain, and who demonstrate a greater ability to adapt to Spanish culture. https://www.thelocal.es/20240929/spains-pp-calls-for-points-based-visa-system-for-foreigners
As part of this proposed system, the PP also wants to introduce a “letter of commitment” that immigrants would be required to sign upon arrival. This letter would outline expectations regarding language acquisition, knowledge of the Spanish Constitution, and respect for local values.
This evolving debate highlights the growing importance of immigration as a key political issue in Spain, and the increasing pressure on the PSOE to address concerns about border control and integration while maintaining its commitment to a more inclusive approach.